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US 2016/0101770 A1Published application
Methods and Systems of Controlling A Vehicle Powertrain
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsMark Steven Yamazaki, Bernard D. Nefcy, David Farrell, Xiaoyong Wang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vehicle may include a controller programmed to, in response to a vehicle speed less than a speed threshold, a decrease in driver demand, and a change in steering position greater than a position threshold, maintain a friction element pressure of a friction element configured to couple an engine with and electric machine, and increase an amount of spark retard associated with an engine cylinder.
Claims20
A vehicle comprising:
- a powertrain having an engine selectively mechanically coupled via a friction element to an electric machine;
- and
- a controller programmed to, while operating the powertrain in a hybrid mode and in response to a steering angle greater than a threshold and a decrease in accelerator pedal position, maintain the engine coupling via the friction element to the electric machine and reduce fuel delivery to the engine.
A vehicle comprising:
- a controller programmed to, in response to a vehicle speed falling below a speed threshold, a decrease in driver demand, and a change in steering position greater than a position threshold, maintain a friction element pressure of a friction element configured to couple an engine with an electric machine, and increase an amount of spark retard associated with an engine cylinder.
A method of controlling a vehicle powertrain comprising:
- in response to a decrease in accelerator pedal position and a change in steering angle greater than a threshold angle while a vehicle speed is less than a threshold speed,
- deactivating an engine such that an engine crankshaft is permitted to rotate, and
- maintaining a friction element pressure such that the engine remains mechanically coupled to an electric machine or a transmission of the powertrain.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.